CVE-2025-1272: Kernel: secure boot does not automatically enable kernel lockdown

Severity: high (CVSS 7.7 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.3% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-02-18 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-306

Description

The Linux Kernel lockdown mode for kernel versions starting on 6.12 and above for Fedora Linux has the lockdown mode disabled without any warning. This may allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information such kernel memory mappings, I/O ports, BPF and kprobes. Additionally unsigned modules can be loaded, leading to execution of untrusted code breaking breaking any Secure Boot protection. This vulnerability affects only Fedora Linux.

Affected products

Fedora Project Fedora Linux: from 6.12.4-100.fc40 before 6.12.15-100.fc40; from 6.12.1-200.fc41 before 6.12.15-200.fc41 — fixed in 6.12.15-100.fc40, 6.12.15-200.fc41
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: all versions — fixed in 0:5.14.0-570.12.1.el9_6

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Fedora Project Fedora Linux 6.12.15-100.fc40, 6.12.15-200.fc41; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 0:5.14.0-570.12.1.el9_6. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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